Never Give Up

10 May 2015

Rick Cowdery

ZAK Ansah and Jason Banton proved there is no substitute for persistence when they hauled Argyle back into contention for promotion from Sky Bet League 2.

The two forwards came off the Home Park bench with Wycombe Wanderers leading 3-0 in the first leg of the play-off semi-final, a margin they held until the last five minutes when, first, Zak, and, then, Jason smashed home long-range strikes.

On-loan Charlton Athletic man Zak’s goal came after the Pilgrim’s third substitute, forward Ryan Brunt, won the ball.

“Brunty knocked it down and I got it out from under my feet and I hit it,” he said. “Luckily, it flew in the corner.

Asked what his emotions were, he said: “It was just to get the ball back and go again. I was happy when Bants scored – then I really knew we were back in the tie.”

Jason again proved the man for the big occasion with his goal bearing comparison an earlier match-winner in a tense game against Exeter City.

“Exeter was a very good goal, and very clean goal,” he said, “but, under the circumstances, I think this could be a bigger goal as it can give us the belief that we can go to Wycombe and compete.

“I was going to cross with my left at first and I thought ‘Let me just cut in and try to shoot’; I tried to get [the ball] in between the posts and luckily I saw it go in. Like Zak said, I really wanted to celebrate but the first thought was to get the ball back and go again.”

Both players gave Argyle Performance Manager John Harbin some credit for the fightback.

Jason said: “We never gave up. That’s the attitude especially John Harbin has showed us throughout the season and since he’s been here at the club – never to give up, regardless of the score. It showed great character.”